Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

A backhoe digs mud rich in iron sediment out of the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

A backhoe digs mud rich in iron sediment out of the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

Visitors in a canoe paddle along one of the many canals in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The nearby Wudritz creek is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Visitors in a canoe paddle along one of the many canals in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The nearby Wudritz creek is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

A piece of a tree pulled by workers out of the Wudritz creek lies covered in orange iron sediment next to the creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

A piece of a tree pulled by workers out of the Wudritz creek lies covered in orange iron sediment next to the creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

A flat-bed canoe, called a Kahn and used by a local tour operator for ferrying tourists, stands in water tinted orange due to a high content of iron sediment in the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

A flat-bed canoe, called a Kahn and used by a local tour operator for ferrying tourists, stands in water tinted orange due to a high content of iron sediment in the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

Mud tinted orange due to a high content of iron sediment lies in the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Mud tinted orange due to a high content of iron sediment lies in the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

A backhoe digs mud rich in iron sediment out of the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

A backhoe digs mud rich in iron sediment out of the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

A backhoe digs mud rich in iron sediment out of the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

A backhoe digs mud rich in iron sediment out of the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

A backhoe digs mud rich in iron sediment out of the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

A backhoe digs mud rich in iron sediment out of the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

'Restricted Area, No Entry, Danger' at Schlabendorfer See lake near the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 in Schlabendorf, Germany. Schlabendorfer See is a man-made lake created from the conversion of the former Schlabendorf open-pit coal mine and is heavily burdened with iron sediment. The lake is currently too full of water, hence the access restrictions, though local authorities cannot release the excess water because the nearby Wudritz creek is already inundated with the iron sediment. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the nearby Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

'Restricted Area, No Entry, Danger' at Schlabendorfer See lake near the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 in Schlabendorf, Germany. Schlabendorfer See is a man-made lake created from the conversion of the former Schlabendorf open-pit coal mine and is heavily burdened with iron sediment. The lake is currently too full of water, hence the access restrictions, though local authorities cannot release the excess water because the nearby Wudritz creek is already inundated with the iron sediment. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the nearby Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

A sign shows a local map at the Schlabendorfer See lake marina near the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 in Schlabendorf, Germany. Schlabendorfer See is a man-made lake created from the conversion of the former Schlabendorf open-pit coal mine. The lake, because of the mine, is heavily burdened with iron sediment that is inundating the nearby Wudritz creek. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the nearby Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

A sign shows a local map at the Schlabendorfer See lake marina near the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 in Schlabendorf, Germany. Schlabendorfer See is a man-made lake created from the conversion of the former Schlabendorf open-pit coal mine. The lake, because of the mine, is heavily burdened with iron sediment that is inundating the nearby Wudritz creek. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the nearby Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

Local resident Peter Schaetzchen paints the flat-bed canoe called a Kahn that he still uses for transporting firewood and other cargo in the many canals in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The nearby Wudritz creek is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Local resident Peter Schaetzchen paints the flat-bed canoe called a Kahn that he still uses for transporting firewood and other cargo in the many canals in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The nearby Wudritz creek is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

A tour operator covers a flat-bed canoe called a Kahn used for ferrying visitors along one of the many canals in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The nearby Wudritz creek is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

A tour operator covers a flat-bed canoe called a Kahn used for ferrying visitors along one of the many canals in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The nearby Wudritz creek is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

A tour operator ferries visitors in a flat-bed canoe called a Kahn along one of the many canals on the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The nearby Wudritz creek is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

A tour operator ferries visitors in a flat-bed canoe called a Kahn along one of the many canals on the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The nearby Wudritz creek is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

Visitors in a canoe paddle along one of the many canals on the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The nearby Wudritz creek is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Visitors in a canoe paddle along one of the many canals on the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The nearby Wudritz creek is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Iron Sediments From Shuttered Mines Tint Local Waterways

Sean Gallup

A piece of a tree pulled by workers out of the Wudritz creek lies covered in orange iron sediment next to the creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

A piece of a tree pulled by workers out of the Wudritz creek lies covered in orange iron sediment next to the creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna.

Keywords

A backhoe digs mud rich in iron sediment out of the Wudritz creek in... News PhotoDigging,Environmental Damage,Environmental Issues,Germany,Horizontal,Mud,Pollution,Sand,Spreewald,Vehicle ScoopPhotographer Sean GallupCollection: Getty Images News 2013 Getty ImagesLUEBBENAU, GERMANY - APRIL 17: A backhoe digs mud rich in iron sediment out of the Wudritz creek in the Spreewald region on April 17, 2013 near Luebbenau, Germany. The Wudritz is heavily burdened with iron from the nearby former Schlabendorf open pit coal mine, which has since been turned into a lake called the Schlabendorfer See. Many creeks and small rivers that feed the Spree River have turned a rich orange or brown, sometimes even red, due to the sediments flowing from several former open pit coal mines. The Spreewald is a popular tourist destination known for its network of canals and local tour operators fear the sediment will turn the waters there orange as well, which could seriously impact the tourist seasons. Though the iron sediment is not poisonous, some local farmers claim they have been forced to filter the water they use to irrigate their fields, and many people report the disappearance of fish and other fauna. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)